A Double Blessing

One thing was for certain that day of the fire. Other people were watching. Robert was not by himself that day praising God, many people witnessed it. We also know from our scripture that people were watching Paul and Silas as well, at least they were listening to them.

Let’s look at the next verse, “Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all of the prison doors flew open and everybody’s chains came loose.”

Paul and Silas were there in the dark prison cell on the bad day beyond all bad days and what do we find them doing? Praying and singing hymns. What did God do? Because they came to Him in their midnight hour, turned to him in prayer and singing when things looked at their worse, trusted God and God alone to help them, God set them free and their chains fell loose!

Are you ready in your midnight hour to trust God enough to start singing? Do you trust God and God alone to deliver you out of the bondage that may be holding you down? My friends, are you ready for a blessing? And in doing so are you ready to give others a blessing as well?

If you are then I want to show you some more from our story this morning. It says that the jailer woke up and seeing that the prison doors were all open thought the worse. He was about to kill himself.

You see the punishment for a jailer was great if his prisoners escaped, he would be put to death instead. So he decided to do it himself. But Paul was still there, perhaps he was waiting to see what else God would do that day. He said, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

The jailer heard the voice of Paul from the center of the prison. Calling for lights he rushed in to see who and possibly why the two were still in their cell, even with the door open. The same two men that were only moments before praying and singing to God were still there and he ask them,

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved? I saw what you two had and I want it too. I listened to your joy even though you should be in despair. I know that I need saved but please tell me how.”

Friends, I don’t want to second guess God by questioning why God allowed Paul and Silas to be placed in that jail cell that night. It may have been for a number of reasons. I can tell you this, the jailer knew exactly why Paul and Silas were there.

Now What?

You see, sometimes God may place us in situations for other people’s benefit, not just our own. God used Paul and Silas that night to lead a jailer and his family to Him. How is God using you?

My friends, I want to challenge you to never let an opportunity to praise God slip away. I want to let you know that every time we give God the glory we are witnessing to our neighbors in a way that otherwise would have been lost.

I also want to remind you to never forget God even when the day is at its worst, even when things have gone so badly that you are in the dark and alone. Sing out to God and He will free you. Sing out to God and let the chains fall. Sing out to God and let others hear you do it!

You may be the trigger, you may be the catalyst.